The Luxury Hotel Insider: Exclusive luxury hotel deals, features and special rates from the luxury hotel experts at Five Star Alliance.

Named one of Tripbase's Best Luxury Travel Blogs for 2011, below are Five Star Alliance's newest articles featuring exclusive information on luxury hotels worldwide including special offers and deals at the world's best hotels.

The Windy City is magical during the holidays. From the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (November 18) to the Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier (think decorated trees, thousands of lights, and lots of family-style holiday attractions), Chicago knows how to celebrate in style. And of course the holiday shopping is world-class. This year, Conrad Chicago is offering a Holidays on Magnificent Mile package for lucky guests to enjoy Chicago at its glittery best. The package includes a fifty dollar gift card and VIP savings passport for Westfield North Bridge shopping mall, thirty dollars for shipping of items within the United States, gift wrapping, holiday martini at Rendez-Vous lounge, late check-out, and complimentary parking for one night. Located in the heart of it all in Chitown, Conrad Chicago is one of the most prestigious addresses on the Magnificent Mile. (The 311 guestrooms boast incredible views over the city skyline.) Within walking distance of The Loop, The Merchandise Mart, and Lake Michigan, the Conrad is a perfect urban oasis, with the best restaurants and shopping experiences at its doorstep.

Just a year old and Eos Airlines is already legendary. The all premium-class airline, famed for its highly personalized level of service, has dazzled international business and leisure travelers with its enormous suites, featuring fully horizontal beds and 21 square feet of personal space. Specially configured Boeing 757's are configured for only 48 seats. The ultimate in convenience and comfort, Eos offers twice daily service from New York and London, including a curbside escort service through "fast-track" check-in. The airline recently announced that it has secured a second round of institutional investment ($75 million), which will enable it to expand its fleet of 757 aircraft in preparation for new routes in 2007.

In today's article "Living in Zen: The Spa Life, 24/7" the NYT identified the latest trend in lifestyle community living: "spadominiums" brought to you by Miraval, the Tucson-based destination spa, and Canyon Ranch, its chief competitor. Spa lifestyle communities have been springing up rapidly across the country in recent years; most of them are second-home condos at destination resorts. But now Miraval and Canyon Ranch are creating condominium projects in major cities to help foster a balanced urban life dedicated to wellness and healthy living.

Beginning in early 2008 those who choose to relocate to 515 East 72nd Street will be able to experience Miraval’s spa, fitness, nutrition and general wellness programming from the comfort of their own high-rise condominium homes. The project will be known as Miraval Living; the company is billing it as New York City's first "inspired living residence" and the first of what John Vanderslice, the chief executive, said would be 10 to 15 similar developments in the next decade in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami and Washington.

Canyon Ranch has similar spa-living condos under development in Miami and Chicago.

Kai, the renowned restaurant at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa on the Gila River Reservation, was recently awarded the covered five-diamond award from AAA. Located within the rugged expanse of Arizona's Sonoran Desert, the resort is designed to be an authentic representation of the Gila River Indian Community's cultural heritage. Its restaurant, Kai (meaning "seed" in the Pima language) is tribe-owned, and offers a menu rich in Native American culture. In fact, Executive Chef Michael O'Dowd and Native American Chef de Cuisine Jack Strong have masterfully created an indigenous menu focusing on locally farmed ingredients. (James Beard Award-winning Chef Janos Wilder is consulting chef for Kai.) Sample menu items include Tenderloin of Buffalo from the Cheyenne River Tribe (with Smoked Corn Puree, Barbeque Scarlet Runner Beans, Saguaro Blossom Syrup, Cholla Buds and Seasonal Mushrooms) and Sugpiaq Black Cod with Los Palacios Chorizo and Red Lake Wild Rice (accompanied by Plantain Creme Brulee, Guava Nectar, Caramelized Young Pineapple Wild Rice and Yucatan Coconut Cream). Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, reservations are recommended.

Welcome to the finest hotel in Charleston, the stunning Orient-Express property located at 205 Meeting Street. At Charleston Place, guests are charmed by the best Southern hospitality in elegant surroundings. Relax in your beautifully appointed room, or treat yourself to some time at the incredibly lavish European-style Spa (there's a clay tennis court and heated horizon edged swimming pool with retractable glass roof). The NYT raves:

With a prime location, two top-flight restaurants, and an indoor-outdoor pool, this 450-room sister ship of Venice Cipriani easily tops the roster of Charleston Hotels.

The Charleston Place Thanksgiving Package includes three nights room accommodation, two tickets to the Thanksgiving Culinary Celebration at the elegant Palmetto Cafe, and a $25 gift certificate good for use in any of the Shops at Charleston Place. Valid from November 21-26, 2006. Starting from $808 in a Deluxe Room (Club Level Room is $1,138). Taxes and gratuities not included.

Don't miss this. Today-- one day only!-- Lufthansa is having an exclusive online sale where travelers can get 20 percent off the price of flights. The discount is available for travel from November 8, 2006 to March 31, 2007. Sample fares are one-way based on round-trip purchase in Economy Class:

The prestige and excitement of World Cup ski racing returns to Aspen again this winter. Take advantage of the exclusive World Cup Ski Package at the St. Regis Resort, easily the most fashionable spot in Aspen. Gorgeous rooms, the all-new Remède Spa (the flagship of the global spa brand developed for St. Regis), heated outdoor pool, attentive service... this is the ultimate in indulgence for the discerning traveler. The package includes luxurious accommodations, two lift tickets daily, breakfast for two at Olives, two authentic Swiss cow bells for race day, and USA Ski Team souvenirs. Rates start from $460 per night when you arrive Sunday through Thursday for a minimum two-night stay. Available from November 23 through December 21, 2006.

Recently the French Tourist Office recognized Duvine Adventures with a grand award (Best Special Interest Product in France) for its deluxe, personalized bicycle trips through the unspoiled villages of Europe. The French aren't the only ones who love Duvine. Time, Bicycling, and Outside have all raved about the tours, where lucky cyclists experience stunning landscapes, charming inns and chateaux, and gourmet cuisine and fine wines. It's one of the best ways to encounter the off-the-beaten-path joys of European destinations. And now Duvine has grown to include other destinations (with year round availability), including tours in New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, and Napa and Sonoma counties in California. Beginning in 2007, Duvine will also offer walking tours in France, Italy, and Ireland. Check out their new movie.

Omni's at it again, devising some entertaining and clever packages to entice even the most world-weary of travelers. Starting on November 18th, guests at participating Omni Hotels can experience Spanish culture first-hand with the "Discover Spain" package, which includes luxurious overnight accommodations, a 2-hour Spanish cooking class with a specially-trained Omni executive chef, five-course dinner and wine pairing, Sunday morning breakfast, and a culinary gift bag complete with one cooking apron, imported Spanish food items, recipe cards, and a Spanish CD. The cuisine promises to tantalize the tastebuds: mouth-watering cheeses, meats, seafood, and of course—a delicious array of traditional Spanish Tapas. To prep for this Flavors of the World campaign, 50 executive chefs from Omni Hotels visited the Castilla y Leon region of Spain this past summer for tutelage under culinary masters. Learn the secrets to making authentic Spanish tapas with this fabulous culinary adventure. Available through January 2007. The full list of participating Omni Hotels can be found here.